The Comparative Study of Clinical and MRI Features in Pediatric ADEM and CIS

目的 探讨急性播散性脑脊髓炎(acute disseminated encephalomyelitis,ADEM)与临床孤立综合征(clinically isolated syndrome,CIS)的鉴别诊断要点.资料与方法 搜集39例患儿首发中枢神经系统脱髓鞘病变时的临床及影像学资料.其中CIS 18例,包括女13例,男5例；ADEM共21例,其中女8例,男13例.平均随访时间4.2年,最短随访时间为2年.由一名儿科神经医师对CIS及ADEM的临床表现进行了归类总结.由一名资深神经影像学医师对患者ADEM及CIS头颅MRI表现进行分析,内容包括病灶的位置、大小、形态.对计数资料采用Fisher精确检验,对计量资料进行非参数Mann-Whitney U检验.分别应用几种CIS的诊断标准对患儿进行评价,比较分析每种标准诊断的特异性、敏感性、阳性预测值及阴性预测值.结果 39例儿童ADEM与CIS患者中,ADEM发病年龄小,平均约(6.14±3.41)岁；CIS平均发病年龄(10.05 ±2.87)岁,两者之间差异有统计学意义(P=0.000)；ADEM临床表现以发热和运动障碍为主,分别占76％和71％,高于CIS的33％和22％ (P =0.011,0.004).而CIS中视力障碍及脑脊液寡克隆带阳性出现率分别占50％和61％,与ADEM的0％和24％比较,差异具有统计学意义(P=0.000,0.025).随访中儿童ADEM的改良的Rankin量表评分不如CIS.影像学特征中,与C1S比较,中央白质病变及脑萎缩在ADEM中表现更为明显,分别占100％和38％ (P =0.001,0.023)；ADEM病灶分布相对对称.CIS的视神经及脊髓病变出现率分别为22％、17％,ADEM未出现此类病变(P =0.037,P=0.089).“黑洞”在CIS中具有显著特异性,与ADEM比较差异具有统计学意义(P =0.037).Callen诊断MS的标准敏感性最高,为87％.KIDMUS(2个均满足)MS诊断标准及Callen的鉴别MS与ADEM标准特异性均较高,分别为92％和90％.KIDMUS敏感性最差,为33％.Barkhof的成人MS标准在儿童中敏感性及特异性均较低,分别为22％和57％.结论 临床及影像学特征的结合,可以帮助早期诊断与鉴别ADEM与CIS.在诊断CIS时应该用Callen诊断MS标准为主,而鉴别ADEM和CIS时可以用Callen的鉴别标准.     

急性播散性脑脊髓炎的临床、病理及CT和MRI表现

急性播散性脑脊髓炎(ADEM)是一种急性脱髓鞘性病变，常继发于感染和免疫接种后，主要累及脑白质，也可累及灰质，其临床表现、脑脊液改变及影像学表现有一定特点，但均无特异性，目前还没有一个很好的诊断标准，与其它病变如多发性硬化(MS)等鉴别困难，最后诊断有赖于临床表现、各种检查及一定时间的随访观察。     

乳腺影像学报告及数据系统:超声良恶性病变鉴别诊断初探

1992年美国放射学会制定了乳腺影像学报告及数据系统(breast imaging reporting and data system,BI-RADS),2003年第四版修订时包括了超声诊断(BI-RADS-US)。本文旨在初步探讨BI-RADS-US对于乳腺良恶性病变鉴别诊断的能力。我们收集了2006年1月至2007年3月期间、获得病理诊断的乳腺占位性病变共69例72灶。均为女性,年龄14-83岁,平均41.6岁。首先根据一般的非BI-RADS标准,做出良恶性鉴别。然后用BI-RADS-US标准进行鉴别和分级(0-6级),其中2级和3级为良性和良性可能性大,4级为性质待定,5级为恶性可能性大。计算并比较上述两种方法的准确性、敏感性、特异性。结果在72病灶中,根据非BI-RADS标准,诊断为良性者40灶,符合病理诊断者38灶(95.0%),诊断为恶性者23灶,符合病理者18灶(78.3%);诊断为性质待定者9灶。根据BI-RADS-US标准和分级,2级和3级共有37灶,与病理结果符合者为36灶(97.2%);5级有31灶,与病理符合者为22灶(71.0%);4级有4灶。非BI-RADS和BI-RADS-US的准确性各为83.3%和81.9%(P=1.000),敏感性各为91.7%和95.8%(P=1.000),特异性各为79.2%和75.0%(P=0.754)。总之,第一版BI-RADS-US在乳腺良恶性病变鉴别诊断方面的初步应用表现出较高的敏感性,而与非BI-RADS方法比较则尚无明显差别。     

MRI和X线摄影鉴别乳腺良恶性病变的比较分析

目的 比较MRI和X线摄影鉴别乳腺良恶性病变的诊断价值.方法 综合分析52例(包括恶性24例及良性28例)经手术病理证实的乳腺疾病的MRI及X线摄影资料.根据乳腺癌MRI和X线的主要诊断指标和次要诊断指标,对病例进行诊断.将2种影像诊断结果与病理诊断结果对照,比较MRI、 X线的诊断价值.结果 高频X线摄影诊断的敏感性为81.5%,特异性86.1%,阳性预测值81.5%,阴性预测值86.1%.MRI的敏感性为92.6%,特异性91.7%,阳性预测值89.3%,阴性预测值94.3%.MRI诊断结果与病理的一致性程度很高(Kappa值=0.813,P＜0.0005),高于高频X线(Kappa值=0.649,P＜0.0005).结论 MRI对诊断乳腺癌有重要价值,其效果优于X线检查.     

脊髓MRI对多发性硬化的诊断和鉴别诊断价值

目的探讨脊髓MRI对多发性硬化(MS)的诊断和鉴别诊断价值。资料与方法80例早期MS患者作为研究对象,作脑部和脊髓MRI检查,分析脊髓和脑部病灶的特征,脊髓病变的发病率与MS诊断的相关性。结果(1)80例脊髓检查中,脊髓异常者65例(81.25%),其中颈髓18例(27.69%),胸髓13例(20.0%),腰骶髓5例(7.69%),颈髓和胸髓同时受累29例(44.62%)。(2)脊髓局灶性病灶37例(46.25%),弥漫性11例(13.75%),局灶并弥漫性病灶17例(21.25%)。(3)不联合脊髓病灶53例可诊断为MS,敏感性为66.25%,若1个脊髓病灶替代1个脑部病灶,68例可诊断为MS,敏感性为85%,两者差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论脊髓MRI可显示MS在空间的播散性,能提高MS诊断的敏感性也有助于对MS的鉴别诊断。     

MR扩散加权成像中ADC值对肝脏肿瘤性病变的定性评估

目的评估MR扩散加权成像(DWI)对肝脏肿瘤性病变、特别是影像学表现不典型肿瘤性病变的诊断价值及其良恶性鉴别诊断价值。资料与方法对2010年8月至2011年5月的55例患者(34例为肿瘤患者怀疑有肝脏转移,21例CT、B超等影像学检查拟诊肝脏占位性病变无法进行定性诊断)行MR常规序列及DWI,共发现92个病灶(25个原发性肝癌,27个肝转移瘤,3个肝胆管细胞癌,2个肝硬化结节,2个肝脏局灶性结节增生,7个肝血管瘤,26个肝囊肿)。通过分析肝脏病灶信号强度随b值不同的变化及病灶表观扩散系数(ADC)值的大小(平均数±标准差)等对肝脏肿瘤性病变、特别是不典型肿瘤性病变的良恶性进行诊断及鉴别诊断,以病理结果或随访结果为标准计算其敏感性及特异性。结果 MR DWI上,b=50 s/mm2、500s/mm2及b=50 s/mm2、1000 s/mm2时,良性病变的信号衰减程度高于恶性病变,即b为50 s/mm2、1000 s/mm2时,恶性病变为高信号,而良性病变呈相对等信号或低信号,良恶性病灶信号强度差异明显。恶性病变的ADC值(b值为50 s/mm2、1000 s/mm2时计算)[(0.845±0.0110)×10-3mm2/s,n=55]明显低于良性病变的ADC值(b值为50 s/mm2、1000 s/mm2时计算)[(2.230±0.0497)×10-3mm2/s,n=37],经秩和检验差异具有统计学意义(Z=-7.905,P<0.01),敏感性及特异性分别为96.36%和83.78%。结论 DWI对肝脏肿瘤性病变、特别是影像学表现不典型肿瘤性病变具有较大诊断价值,对肝脏肿瘤性病变的良恶性鉴别诊断是一种简单、实用的影像学检查方法。     

扩散加权成像区分肺良恶性病变的价值

目的:探讨磁共振扩散加权成像(DWI)在肺部良恶性结节或肿块中的鉴别诊断价值.方法:58例经病理或临床随访证实的肺部结节或肿块患者行常规MRI和DWI扫描(b=0,300,600,900,1200s/mm2),比较病灶同层面两种参照物(胸髓和胸壁肌肉)条件下病灶信号强度的差异,并评价肺病灶良恶性DWI诊断敏感性、特异性和准确性.评价采用5分制,统计采用两样本t检验和ROC曲线来比较良恶性病变的信号强度差异和诊断效能.结果:以肌肉为参照诊断良恶性病变的ROC曲线下面积(0.738)与以胸髓为参照时的曲线下面积(0.701)无统计学显著差异(P=0.3095).以胸壁肌肉为参照时的肺癌组DWI的信号强度评分(4.34±0.97)显著高于良性病变组(3.25±1.37,P=0.0036);以病灶信号强度等于或大于肌肉信号强度作为判断良恶性病变的界值,其诊断敏感性、特异性和准确性分别为81.58%、45.00%、75.86%.结论:DWI的信号强度有助于肺部良恶性病变的鉴别诊断.以胸壁肌肉为参照的DWI具有较高的诊断敏感性和准确性,但特异性尚有欠缺,DWI可能成为一种肺癌诊断和鉴别诊断的辅助技术手段.     

儿童多发性硬化的临床特点及MRI特征

目的 探讨中国儿童多发性硬化(MS)的临床孤立综合征( CIS)和复发时的临床及MRI特征.方法 回顾性分析16例MS患儿的首次发作及复发时临床及影像学资料.随访时间4个月至7年,期间患儿复发次数为1～5次.由1名儿科神经医师对CIS及复发的临床表现进行了归类总结.由1名资深神经影像学医师对患儿CIS及复发的头颅MRI表现进行分析,内容包括病灶的位置、大小、分布.病灶位置的分析包括皮层、皮层下白质、中央白质、脑室旁白质、深部灰质核团以及脑干和小脑.结果 (1)临床表现:儿童MS发病急,CIS以皮层症状及视觉障碍表现多见,14例1年以内复发,复发时皮层症状减少,而视觉症状仍较多,随访时康复良好.(2)颅脑MRI表现:CIS时,13例出现皮层下白质病灶,且大片融合,与中央白质病灶相连,好发部位依次为额、顶叶.皮层9例受累.10例可见中央白质病灶.6例可见脑室旁白质小病灶.4例可见对称性深部灰质核团病灶.5例可见脑干病灶.3例可见小脑病灶.3例可见视束或视神经肿胀、增粗.2例可见锥体束异常信号.1例可见胼胝体病灶.复发时,12例可见皮层下病灶,较CIS时数量增多,以小病灶为主.9例可见中央白质病灶,病灶大小较前减小.8例可见脑室旁病灶,病灶数量较CIS时增多.仅有2例出现皮层病灶.5例出现小脑病灶.4例可见脑干病灶.6例可见锥体束病灶,发生率较CIS时明显增多,且出现“轨道征”.结论 儿童MS的MRI表现具有一定特征,CIS时额、顶叶皮层下白质病灶融合成大片并常累及中央区白质,复发时有时可见“轨道征”,结合临床可以提高对儿童MS诊断的正确性.     

联合应用磁共振功能成像在乳腺疾病诊断中的价值

目的探讨磁共振功能成像技术(DWI、DCE及MRS)在乳腺良恶性病变诊断中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析57例经病理证实的乳腺疾病患者的DWI、DCE及MRS资料。结果 DWI的敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为83.3%、90%、87.9%;DCE-TIC的敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为70%、94.4%、77.5%;MRS的敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为77.5%、72.2%、75.8%;联合诊断的敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为90%、94.4%、91.4%。结论 DWI、DCE、MRS在乳腺良恶性病变鉴别诊断方面各有优势,联合应用可提高病变诊断的准确性。     

乳腺MR扩散、灌注及动态增强成像诊断价值研究

目的探讨MR扩散、灌注及动态增强成像在乳腺病变中的诊断价值。资料与方法80例乳腺病变患者行术前MR扩散、T2*W首过灌注及动态增强检查,回顾性分析乳腺病变MRI表现,分析比较扩散、灌注及动态增强的诊断价值。结果乳腺良、恶性病变表观扩散系数(ADC)值具有显著差异,诊断敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为80%、89.19%、79.38%;恶性病变T2*W首过灌注最大信号丢失率明显高于良性病变(P<0.05),诊断敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为81.82%、83.78%、82.61%;动态增强扫描诊断敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为76.36%、83.78%、79.35%;三者联合诊断敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为92.73%,91.89%、92.39%。结论乳腺MR扩散、灌注成像有助于乳腺良恶性病变的鉴别。     

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis: magnetic resonance imaging differentiation

The study was undertaken to compare the MR imaging features of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and multiple sclerosis (MS) in a country with a high prevalence of ADEM. Magnetic resonance scans from 33 patients diagnosed clinically with MS (14 patients) or ADEM (19 patients) were reviewed concurrently by two radiologists blinded to the clinical diagnosis. The size, site, morphology and pattern of brain and spinal cord involvement were recorded and the MR imaging diagnosis was compared with the clinical diagnosis. The MR imaging findings matched with the clinical diagnosis in 11 of 14 patients with MS (sensitivity = 78.6%), and with the clinical diagnosis in 15 of 18 patients with ADEM (sensitivity = 78.9%). Three patients had non-specific findings and in a further three patients discordant imaging features were present. One patient with imaging features typical of Balo's concentric sclerosis was diagnosed clinically as suffering from ADEM. In a country with a high prevalence of ADEM, the majority of patients with ADEM and MS can be differentiated on MR imaging.     

多模态MRI对子宫内膜癌诊断及病理分型临床应用价值

目的探讨多模态MRI对子宫内膜癌诊断及病理分型临床价值。方法选取我院80例子宫内膜癌疑似患者,均行多模态MRI检查,以分段诊断性刮宫病理结果为金标准计算多模态MRI诊断子宫内膜癌的漏误诊率、灵敏/特异度及病理分型敏感特异性,建立接受者操作特征(ROC)曲线分析多模态MRI诊断子宫内膜癌的效能,对比不同类型患者的表观弥散系数(ADC)值。结果金标准诊断显示,80例疑似患者中经分段诊断性刮宫病理检查最终确诊子宫内膜癌共53例(66.25%)。MRI扫描显示,多模态MRI诊断子宫内膜癌的符合率81.25%、误诊率14.81%、漏诊率20.75%、灵敏度79.25%、特异度85.19%、阳性预测值91.30%;多模态MRI对Ⅰ型子宫内膜癌的分型敏感性67.57%、特异性81.40%、阳性预测值75.75%,对Ⅱ型子宫内膜癌的分型敏感性81.25%、特异性81.25%、阳性预测值52.00%。子宫内膜癌患者ADC低于非癌患者(t=11.284),Ⅰ型患者ADC低于Ⅱ型患者(t=2.133),高分化患者ADC高于低分化患者,Ⅲ期患者ADC低于Ⅰ~Ⅱ期患者(t=2.478),以上差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论多模态MRI对子宫内膜癌具有较高的筛查诊断效能,可通过多模态MRI影像组学特征及ADC数值差异进行子宫内膜癌临床诊断。     

Early anisotropy changes in the corpus callosum of patients with optic neuritis

INTRODUCTION: Optic neuritis (ON) and any other early manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS) are referred to as clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) as long as MS is suspected. In this prospective study we aimed to determine whether diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) could quantify structural changes in patients with early MS. METHODS: A total of 24 patients and 15 control subjects were prospectively followed by clinical examinations and MRI. the main inclusion criterion was presentation with ON. Patients underwent serial MRI scans: MRI1 (baseline, n=24), MRI2 (mean 6.6 months, n=24), MRI3 (mean 13.0 months, n=14), MRI4 (mean 39.4 months, n=5). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) maps were derived from DTI. Four regions of interest (ROIs) were defined in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM). RESULTS: In the temporal course FA decreased in the genu of the callosal body (GCC) from MRI1 to MRI4 (P=0.005) and in the splenium of the callosal body (SCC) (P=0.006). Patients already had lower FA values in the SCC (P<0.01) on MRI1 compared with the controls. Patients had lower FA values in the GCC (P<0.01) starting from MRI2. Patients with definite MS on follow-up (n=9) showed a correlation between FA in the SCC and time (r=-0.40, P=0.004), whereas patients without progression did not. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the corpus callosum is an early site for development of anisotropy changes in MS patients with ON. There seems to be a primary FA decrease in all patients with ON that only deteriorates in the group developing definite MS.     

Ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis and determining resectability of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To compare ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and determination of resectability of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Articles reporting US, CT, or MRI data of patients with known or suspected pancreatic adenocarcinoma and at least 20 patients verified with histopathology, surgical findings, or follow-up were included. A bivariate random effects approach was used to calculate sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis and resectability of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: Sixty-eight articles fulfilled all inclusion criteria. For diagnosis, sensitivities of helical CT, conventional CT, MRI, and US were 91%, 86%, 84%, and 76% and specificities were 85%, 79%, 82%, and 75% respectively. Sensitivities for MRI and US were significantly lower compared with helical CT (P = 0.04 and P = 0.0001). For determining resectability, sensitivities of helical CT, conventional CT, MRI, and US were 81%, 82%, 82, and 83% and specificities were 82%, 76%, 78%, and 63% respectively. Specificity of US was significantly lower compared with helical CT (P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Helical CT is preferable as an imaging modality for the diagnosis and determination of resectability of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.     

A search for new MRI criteria for dissemination in space in subjects with a clinically isolated syndrome

The International Panel on the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) incorporated the Barkhof/Tintoré (B/T) magnetic resonance criteria into their diagnostic scheme to provide evidence of dissemination in space of central nervous system lesions, a prerequisite for diagnosing MS in patients who present with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS). Although specific for MS, the B/T criteria were criticised for their low sensitivity and relative complexity in clinical use. We used lesion characteristics at onset from 349 CIS patients in logistic regression and recursive partitioning modelling in a search for simpler and more sensitive criteria, while maintaining current specificity. The resulting models, all based on the presence of periventricular and deep white matter lesions, performed roughly in agreement with the B/T criteria, but were unable to provide higher diagnostic accuracy based on information from a single scan. Apparently, findings from contrast-enhanced and follow-up magnetic resonance scans are needed to improve the diagnostic algorithm.     

颈椎自然位MRI对平山病的诊断价值

目的：探讨平山病(HD)颈椎自然位 MRI 的表现及其诊断价值,提高 HD MRI 诊断水平。方法观察15例 HD 患者及40例对照组自然位颈椎 MRI 特征,分析其特异性及灵敏性,并测量低位脊髓矢状径/脊髓横径(CSD/CTD)比值。结果病例组低位颈髓 CSD/CTD 与对照组差异有统计学意义(t=7.99,P =0.00)。LOA 的灵敏性为86.7%,特异性为88.4%。低位颈髓萎缩的灵敏性80.0%,特异性79.5%。脊柱曲线异常灵敏性40.0%,特异性65.2%。髓内异常信号灵敏性46.7%,特异性87.5%。硬膜腔外异常信号灵敏性20.0%,特异性96.8%。结论 HD 低位颈髓自然位 MRI 具有一定特征性,结合临床症状和体征对诊断HD 具有重要临床价值。     

经阴道超声和 MRI 对剖宫产术后早期子宫瘢痕妊娠的诊断价值比较

目的：探讨经阴道超声和 MRI 在诊断剖宫产术后早期子宫瘢痕妊娠(CSP)中的价值。方法分析28例拟诊为 CSP 患者的经阴道超声和 MRI 资料,以手术和术后病理为金标准,比较两者诊断 CSP 的敏感度、特异度、准确率、显示孕囊及与周围组织关系的差别。结果28例拟诊 CSP 患者经手术和病理证实为 CSP 22例,经阴道超声和 MRI 分别正确诊断20例和19例,两者诊断敏感度、特异度、诊断准确率分别为90.9%,50.0%,82.1%和86.4%,83.3%,85.7%,2种方法诊断准确率无统计学差异(χ2=0.132, P =0.72)。22例 CSP 中病理见孕囊20例,经阴道超声和 MRI 分别证实19例和17例,无统计学差异(χ2=1.11,P =0.29);手术和病理证实卵黄囊14例,胚芽9例,原始心管搏动7例,孕囊局部瘢痕浸润10例,经阴道超声和 MRI 分别诊断12例和2例,8例和2例,5例和0例,3例和9例,均有显著统计学差异(χ2=13.8,P=0.000;χ2=7.7,P =0.006;χ2=7.2,P =0.007;χ2=7.1,P =0.008);手术和病理证实孕囊内出血16例,宫腔积血17例,经阴道超声和 MRI 分别诊断7例和14例,9例和15例,均有统计学差异(χ2=6.6, P =0.01;χ2=5.0,P =0.026)。结论经阴道超声和 MRI 诊断 CSP 的准确率均较高。经阴道超声显示卵黄囊、胚芽和原始心管搏动优于 MRI;MRI 显示妊娠囊内出血、宫腔积血、孕囊与切口及周围组织关系优于经阴道超声,二者联合对诊治 CSP 有重要价值。     

The value of magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

This study evaluated the diagnostic significance of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based scoring model for identification of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in patients with MRI evidence of RV abnormalities. Fifty-three patients with RV myocardial abnormalities on MRI were divided into a group with ARVC 1 (n=17) and a group with other RV arrhythmias (n=37). Decision tree learning (DTL) and linear classification (based on a modified ARVC scoring model of major and minor criteria) were used to identify and assess MRI criterion information value, and to induce ARVC diagnostic rules. All major ARVC criteria were more frequent in the ARVC group. Among minor criteria regional RV hypokinesia, mild segmental RV dilatation, and prominent trabeculae were more frequent in the ARVC group while mild global RV dilatation was more frequent in the non-ARVC group. RV aneurysm achieved highest importance in ARVC diagnosis (predictive accuracy 76.8%). Better diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity 93.3%, specificity 89.5%) was achieved when the MRI score for the major and minor criteria reached threshold value of four: two major criteria, or one major and two minor, or four minor criteria. Combinations between major and minor criteria contributed to a statistically valid model for ARVC diagnosis.     

Diagnosis of breast tumors by contrast-enhanced MR imaging: comparison between the diagnostic performance of dynamic enhancement patterns and morphologic features

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic performance of breast lesions by the enhancement patterns and morphologic criteria on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both T1-weighted 3D gradient-echo sequences with high temporal resolution and high-spatial-resolution MRI were performed on 190 patients with a total of 204 enhancing lesions (144 malignant and 60 benign). The enhancement patterns and morphologic features of each mass and nonmass lesion were analyzed, and the diagnostic performance was compared. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the morphologic criteria were statistically significantly higher than those of the enhancement patterns (sensitivity: P = 0.0012, specificity: P = 0.0003), and the A(z) values for the three observers were 0.900, 0.919, and 0.900. The diagnostic accuracy of the morphologic criteria for both types of lesions was superior, and the differences were statistically significant (mass: P = 0.0001, nonmass: P = 0.0389). CONCLUSION: The analysis of the morphologic features of enhancing breast lesions alone showed higher diagnostic performance; therefore, signal intensity (SI) time-course data may not be needed to diagnose malignant breast lesions.     

Masked assessment of MRI findings: is it possible to differentiate neuro-Behçet's disease from other central nervous system

Two neuroradiologists reviewed MRI studies of 34 patients with neuro-Behçet's disease (NBD), 22 with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 7 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with central nervous system involvement, masked to the clinical diagnosis, age and sex of the patients. Of the patients with NBD 12 were in an acute attack; the others had chronic disease. MRI was assessed using a set of criteria, looking at atrophy, the site of discrete parenchymal lesions, regions of predominant involvement and the extent of the lesion(s). The observers also made a guess at the clinical diagnosis. The brain stem and/or basal ganglia were the most predominantly involved sites in all patients with acute NBD; 75 % of these lesions were large and confluent, mainly extending from the brain stem to the diencephalon and basal ganglia. However, in chronic cases, the predominant involvement was in the brain stem and/or basal ganglia in only 36 %, and in cerebral hemisphere white matter in another 36 %; 27 % of these patients showed no parenchymal lesion. Hemisphere white-matter lesions were equally distributed between periventricular and other areas in NBD, while in MS more were periventricular, and in SLE more were nonperiventricular. Brain-stem atrophy was seen in 21 % of patients with NBD, with a specificity of 96.5 %. In the absence of cortical atrophy, its specificity was 100 %. The attempt at making a radiological diagnosis was successful in all cases of acute NBD and 95.5 % of patients with MS, but in only 40 % of patients with chronic NBD. Most of this latter groups MRI studies were interpreted as MS. An extensive lesion involving the brain stem and basal ganglia seemed to be diagnostic of acute NBD. However, hemisphere white-matter lesions could not be differentiated from those in MS.